Santa Cruz County Local Health News Articles and Digest

Families & Children Health Government

At-Home COVID Tests Can Be Reimbursable in California

12/07/2023
Although the federal government is providing four free COVID tests per month, that’s not the only way to get them. Aetna and Blue Shield of California members can be reimbursed for up to eight at-home tests per month, while Kaiser Permanente is offering discounts on tests.

From Santa Cruz Sentinel...

Health

Anita Aguirre to Lead Santa Cruz Community Health

12/03/2023
The board of directors of Santa Cruz Community Health announced the selection of Anita Aguirre as its new CEO. Aguirre starts Jan. 8.

From KSQD...

Health Crisis & Personal Support

Janus Opens New Peri-Natal Center

12/01/2023
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Janus has been the go-to recovery center in Santa Cruz County for the past 30 years. Board chair Edison Jensen, and CEO Amber Williams talk about ways to support recovery during the holidays and share news about the new center for women and their children.

From The Mercury News...

Public Safety Health Crime & Justice

Stolen Blue Shield of California Data Could Hit Dark Web

12/01/2023
Hackers stole data this week from Blue Shield of California. Historically, this type of data has sometimes wound up for sale on what’s known as the dark web, the part of the internet not typically included in search engine results.

From Santa Cruz Local...

Health Elections & Politics

Bond Measure on March Ballot Would Benefit Watsonville Hospital

11/30/2023
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Pajaro Valley Health Care District on Wednesday night agreed to put a $116 million bond measure on the March 5 ballot to buy the buildings and land at Watsonville Community Hospital.

From Voice of San Diego...

Health Crime & Justice

San Diego County Might Wait on Implementing Conservatorship Rules

11/30/2023
A member of the San Diego County Board of Supervisors has asked that the county wait until 2025 to implement pending state policy around conservatorships. The policy, which goes into effect Jan. 1, makes people suffering from severe addiction eligible to receive conservatorships.

From Good Times...

Health Animals

Dog Virus Hasn’t Hit Santa Cruz

11/29/2023
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A mysterious upper respiratory illness has been hitting canines around the country, but local vets say Santa Cruz dog owners don’t need to worry too much.

From SFGate...

Public Safety Environment Health

Sewage Spill Closes Southern California Beach

11/29/2023
Two miles of public beach were closed in Laguna Beach following a spill of 94,500 gallons of sewage. Orange County is testing water to determine when the beach will be safe to reopen.

From CalMatters...

COVID-19 Families & Children Health Government

Will Kids Still Take Their Medicine? New State Law Forces Pharmacies to Take Out the Flavor

11/28/2023
Parents say flavored medication can help ensure their kids finish a prescription. Far fewer California pharmacies are offering that service as they await new rules from a state regulator.

From Los Angeles Times...

COVID-19 Health Government

Data Explores Whether California or Florida Handled COVID Better

11/27/2023
California and Florida took starkly different approaches to dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic. Data shows that more Floridians died per capita of COVID than did Californians.

From Santa Cruz Sentinel...

Health Elections & Politics

Pajaro Valley Health Care District to Consider Bond Measure for Watsonville Hospital

11/27/2023
Tesidents of the Pajaro Valley may face one more decision on their March primary ballots: whether or not to approve about $105 million for projects at Watsonville Community Hospital.

From New York Times...

Public Safety Health Government

More Migrants Getting Hurt Climbing Border Wall in California

11/27/2023
Seven times as many patients have been admitted to the trauma unit at UC San Diego Health since the Trump administration raised the height of the border wall to 30 feet in California. The hospital also notes that 23 people have died in falls from the wall since 2019.

From EdSource...

Health

UC Davis Study Posits Why People Get Headaches From Wine

11/21/2023
A UC Davis study suggests that some people might get headaches from drinking wine due to an antioxidant, quercetin, that affects alcohol metabolism. This antioxidant is healthy on its own but can sometimes spur headaches when mixed with alcohol.

From KSQD...

Health Community Service & Support

Growing Meaningful Futures for the Disabled at Common Roots Farm

11/20/2023
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How do you have a meaningful day when you have a significant disability? The founders of Common Roots Farm have been on an odyssey to answer this question.

From The Pajaronian...

Business, Economy & Jobs Health

Nurses Picket at Watsonville Hospital

11/15/2023
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Dozens of nurses gathered outside Watsonville Community Hospital for a publicity picket, saying they want a contract that will allow them to attract and retain nurses, thus improving patient care.

From Sacramento Bee...

Families & Children Health State of California

State Debuting Mental Health App for Young People Next Year

11/15/2023
The state will offer a free mental health app beginning Jan. 1 for people ages 13-25. It is currently being tested in San Joaquin and Stanislaus counties.

From CalMatters...

Business, Economy & Jobs Health Government

New Law Raising Wage for California Health Workers May Cost State Billions

11/12/2023
More than half a million California health care workers are expected to see a pay increase in January thanks to a law raising the minimum wage for their industry. Gov. Gavin Newsom signed the law without a clear estimate about how much it would cost the state.

From Capital Public Radio...

Health

People Can Wait Over an Hour in California for Emergency Care

11/09/2023
People wait about 40 minutes on average in California for emergency care, compared to 25 minutes nationally. In Sacramento County, wait times can be as long as 84 minutes during the holidays.

From Santa Cruz Sentinel...

COVID-19 Health County of Santa Cruz

New Santa Cruz County Health Order in Effect for Virus Season

11/08/2023
As of Nov. 1, personnel working in acute care facilities, skilled nursing facilities, surgical and maternity centers, and infusion centers are required to wear a face mask at all times regardless of vaccination status.

From Sacramento Bee...

Health Crime & Justice

Nearly One-Third of California Prisons Provide Inadequate Medical Care

11/07/2023
An evaluation of 34 adult prisons in California by the Office of the Inspector General found that 11 provided inadequate medical care and 23 provided adequate care. None were deemed proficient, the top designation.

Santa Cruz County Local News: Health